Reaction to Homemade Vitamin C E Ferulic Serum and Troubleshooting
Question
I made a homemade Vitamin C E Ferulic serum. After using it for about a week, both I and my sister developed a severe rash all over our faces, similar to a previous reaction I had to mahads. I initially thought it might be due to the summer heat, but the rash was severe, so I stopped using it.
Could adjusting the pH of the serum with an alkali help reduce this irritation or prevent the rash?
Answer
Subject: Reaction to Homemade Vitamin C E Ferulic Serum
Hello,
Thank you for sharing your experience. It's frustrating to have a reaction after seeing positive results initially.
Regarding your question about adjusting pH with alkali to reduce irritation: Based on the information provided, adjusting the pH is less likely to solve the issue compared to identifying the specific ingredient causing the reaction.
As the staff mentioned, potential culprits in the formula could include Laureth-23 (considered the most likely), Ethoxydiglycol (especially if used in significant amounts), and possibly Vitamin B5. Vitamin C is generally less likely to cause such a reaction.
Since you and your sister both experienced the same rash after about a week of use, it strongly suggests a sensitivity or allergy to one or more ingredients in the serum formulation itself, rather than just a temporary skin adjustment or external factor like heat (although heat can sometimes exacerbate skin sensitivity).
To determine if you can continue using the serum, it's crucial to follow the staff's advice:
- Take a break until your skin fully recovers.
- After the break, try applying a small amount of the serum to a test area, such as behind the ear or on a small patch of skin on your forearm.
- Observe the area for a few days to see if the rash reappears.
If the reaction occurs again on the test area, it confirms an allergy or strong sensitivity to an ingredient in the formula, and it would be best to discontinue use. If no reaction occurs, your skin might have needed time to adjust, or the initial reaction was temporary. However, given the widespread nature of the initial rash, a true sensitivity is more probable.
Identifying the exact ingredient responsible would require testing each ingredient individually, which can be complex.
We understand you enjoyed the initial results, but skin health and avoiding allergic reactions are paramount. Please proceed cautiously with the patch test.